Dental Care for Dogs and Cats in San Francisco
Dental disease is the most common health condition in adult dogs and cats, and it is almost entirely invisible from the outside until it has been there a while. Bad breath, a missing tooth, a cat that has stopped grooming, a dog that flinches when you touch their muzzle: these are usually the first signs an owner notices, and by that point gingivitis or periodontal disease has often been brewing for months. Urban Pet Hospital offers full dental care for dogs and cats in San Francisco, with anesthetized cleanings, full-mouth digital dental X-rays, and surgical care for advanced disease, seven days a week from 8am to 8pm.
What is veterinary dental care?
Veterinary dental care for dogs and cats includes professional cleanings under anesthesia, ultrasonic scaling above and below the gum line, polishing, full-mouth digital dental X-rays, and extractions when teeth cannot be saved. Most adult pets benefit from a professional cleaning every one to two years, with senior pets often needing more frequent visits.
Professional Dental Cleaning Under Anesthesia in San Francisco
A proper veterinary dental cleaning is done under anesthesia, not because it is excessive, but because it is the only way to clean above and below the gum line, where most disease actually lives. The technician scales tartar from every tooth surface with an ultrasonic scaler, the veterinarian probes for periodontal pockets, and the team polishes every tooth to slow tartar return.
Pre-Anesthetic Bloodwork
Pre-anesthetic bloodwork and individualized anesthesia protocols are part of every dental visit. The team reviews findings with you and adjusts the plan based on your pet's age, breed, and overall health.
Tooth Extractions and Oral Surgery in San Francisco
Some teeth cannot be saved: fractures, advanced periodontal disease, resorptive lesions in cats, and severely loose teeth all warrant extraction. The surgical team performs extractions during the same anesthetic event whenever possible, which spares your pet a second recovery. Oral mass removals are coordinated with histopathology for full evaluation.
Full-Mouth Digital Dental X-Rays in San Francisco
About 60 percent of every tooth sits below the gum line and is completely invisible without imaging. Full-mouth digital dental radiographs reveal the parts that matter most: root health, bone loss, retained roots in cats, and developing problems that have not yet caused symptoms. Every comprehensive dental visit at Urban Pet Hospital includes dental imaging.
Why Imaging Matters
Without dental X-rays, the team would only be cleaning what they can see. Imaging is how we find resorptive lesions in cats, fractured roots, and abscesses that look healthy on the surface.
Oral Health Assessment in San Francisco
An oral health assessment is built into every wellness visit. The veterinarian grades dental disease, charts which teeth need attention, and recommends a cleaning schedule based on your pet's risk. Small breed dogs and cats typically benefit from more frequent cleanings due to genetics and mouth structure.
Care for Oral Infections in San Francisco
An infected mouth is uncomfortable and can affect the whole body over time. Pets with persistent bad breath, drooling, dropped food, or pawing at the face may have an active oral infection that warrants veterinary care. The veterinarian examines the mouth, takes imaging where appropriate, and outlines a plan to address the infection at its source.
What to Expect on Dental Day in San Francisco
Dental visits are scheduled as a drop-off in the morning. Your pet has a pre-anesthetic exam, a dedicated technician throughout the procedure, and continuous monitoring. Most pets go home the same afternoon with written discharge instructions, a soft food recommendation for a few days, and a recheck plan if needed.
FAQs
Schedule a dental exam or cleaning for your dog or cat at Urban Pet Hospital, where San Francisco pets get comprehensive dental care seven days a week. Call (415) 400-5754 to book your pet's dental day.